Method of producing finely-divided nickel



15 divided state.

Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IUD-RAY HEY, OF CHAT'IANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

IE'IKOD OI PRODUCING FINEIiY-DIVIDED NICKEL.

Io Drawing. Application filed Kay 14, 1926. Serial No. 100,109.

Thi invention relates to a method of the invention is not to be restricted to the preparing catalytic or finely divided mapro rtions given. terial. T e solvent may be of any desired The principal object of the invention is strength, dependent upon the rapidity with the production of metallic nickel in a catawhic it is desired to remove the aluminum, co lytic state such as may be used in the hydroor the aluminum and silicon. In the disgenation of oils, fats, waxes and thelike. solving action a considerable amount of hy- To this end the invention contemplates the drogen is liberated, and this may be saved alloying of metallic nickel with metals such and used for other purposes, or not, as found as silicon and aluminum in various proporconvenient and expedient. 65 tions, and then dissolving the aluminum After having dissolved out the aluminum and silicon from the alloy by means of a or the aluminum and silicon the resulting solvent which will not attack the nickel, finely divided nickel may be dried at atwhereupon the nickel remains ina finely mospheric temperature or in any other way exposed to the air, as a result of which the 70 In this condition the nickel may be exnickel does not have catalytic properties, tremely catalytic. these properties apparentbut this substance is in this form suitable ly being intensified by t e treatment. for many purposes. a I

The ,steps pursued in the treatment of the I have gotten eflicient results in the nickel nickel are as follows and alumlnum compound between the ranges 75 The proper proportions of nickel, alumof from 10% to 85% nickel, and from 90% inum and silicon are either melted separateto 15% aluminum respectively. ly, or together, and if the former, poured The aluminum nickel alloy possesses chartogether in a suitable vessel. If this proacteristics which are not possessed by an cedure is to be used, great care should be alloy containing these same substances and so exercised, as the alloy is formed in an exosilicon. That is, the nickel aluminum alloy thermic reaction. may be either very finely pulverized, say to The melt may be made in a graphite 0111- 200 mesh, or it may be broken in pieces the cible in any desired type of furnace or fire, lz Peas 01 smaller- In either condicare bein used to prevent contamination 1011 the alloy may be treated with caustic of the me t by impurities from th fire, soda or the aluminum removed with the After the melt has fused and been thoruse of some other solvent. In case the larger oughly coinniingled, it is allowed to cool and pieces are used, the nickel is left in a more is then pulverized in any desired apparatus. or less spongy and porous state, somewhat In its ground form it is .then subj ted to slmilar to a cinder, and for certain classes the action of a solvent such as causti soda, of work is is necessary and desirable to have or th lik whi h will di solve ll f th the catalyzer in this condition. I find this alloyed material with the exception of the Characteristic peculiar to the aluminum nickel. After this treatment the subnatent ni kel alloy. fluid is' decanted and the residue, consisting Having thus described my invention, what of finely divided nickel thoroughl washed. 1 lenn is:-

Thenickel thus produced is ready for use 1. A method of preparing a catalytic maas a catalyzer. terial which includes the step of alloying the I have found that catalytic ni k l may be same with aluminum and dissolving the produced in the above manner by alloying aluminum from the resultant alloy, whereby that metal with either aluminum or with the the catalytic material remains in finely combination of silicon and aluminum, the divided condition. operation for reaching the desired end being 2. A process of preparing a catalyzer .the same. which includes the step of alloying nickel 5 I have found a satisfactory proportion of and aluminum, and treating the alloy with 105 the aluminum nickel allo to be aluma solvent which will dissolve the aluminum inum and 50% nickel, and in the three-metal but not the nickel. alloy, 50% nickel, 40% silicon, and 10% 3. A process of preparing a catalyzer aluminum, although obviously I do not wish which includes the mp of alloying nickel to be limited to the exact proportions, as with aluminum and silicon, and dissolving 110 the aluminum and silicon from the resultant alloy.

4. A method of preparing a catalytic material which includes the step of alloying 50% nickel, 40% silicon, and 10% aluminum, and dissolving the silicon and aluminum from the resultant alloy.

5. A method of preparing finel divided nickel which includes the step of alloying nickel with aluminum and dissolving the aluminum from the resulting alloy with a. solvent which will not dissolve the nickel and drying the resultant finely divided nickel. v

6. A method of preparing finely divided nickel which includes the step of alloying nickel with aluminum and silicon dissolving the aluminum and silicon from the resultant alloy with a solvent which will not dissolve nickel and drying the finely divided product. 7. A method of preparing finely divided nickel which includes the step of alloying 50% nickel, 40% silicon and 10% aluminum and dissolving the silicon and aluminum from the resultant? alloy and separating the {inelyl divided nickel from the supernatant iqui In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

MURRAY RANEY. 

